add to this fresh insult of rand paul to put a hold on john brennan. looks like republicans are backing a cynical strategy that could compromise national security while proliferating partisanship. let's put it this perspective. republicans decided to filibuster a republican secretary of defense nominee. someone mitch mcconnell once called one of the most respected foreign policy. someone john mccain said would be an excellent secretary of state in his administration. it's fictional one. avalon writes this bitter confirmation fight is sadly ironic because picking a member of the opposite party usually an olive branch. remember how that would be seen as outreach? no longer. the abuse of a filibuster to delay or block the confirmation of the secretary of defense raises questions about filibuster reform because if a senator had to hold the floor and risk his bladder like jimmy stewart in "mr. smith goes to washington" while keeping 51 of his colleagues on the floor during presidents' day weekend my guess is this block wouldn't have occurred. >> i guess i'l